Descriptionary

kennel a form of hood forming a gable or pyramid shape over the forehead, popular with women in the 15th century. Also known as a gable or pedimental headdress.

kersche a kerchief.

kirtle a long, loose gown with flowing draperies and trains. Also, a waistcoat.

latchet a shoe or clog fastener.

lettice a pale, gray fur.

liripipe a short or long hanging tail extending from the point of some hoods and hats, sometimes twisting around the head like a turban.

mahootres padded shoulders, popular in the late 15th century.

mantle a loose, sleeveless coat.

mentonieres armor pieces protecting the throat and chin.

misericord a dagger worn by knights on the right hip.

miter a pointed or horned cap worn by bishops and cardinals during services.

nifles a 15th-century veil.

nouch a jeweled clasp.

pauldrons shoulder guards.

pelicon a long, loose outer garment.

petticoat a small coat worn under a larger one in the late 15th century.

pilch a coat make of skins of fur.

pilion a round hat of the 14th and 15 th centuries.

plate steel armor pieces that eventually replaced chain mail.

points laces or ties with metal tips, used most fre­quently for attaching hose.

ponge a purse.

poulaines long-pointed shoes.

ray striped cloth.

rerebrace an armor piece protecting the upper arm. roskyn squirrel fur.

sabbatons very broad, square-toed shoes. Also known as duck-billed shoes.

sable highly prized (but less so than ermine) fur worn by princes.

samite a rich silk interwoven with gold thread.

slops in the 14th century, a jacket. In the 15th cen­tury, a shoe or cassock. In the 16th century, wide breeches.

standard of mail a collar of mail for protecting the neck.

sequanie a loose outer frock, worn by rural women.

surcoat a tunic worn over armor.

taces a skirt of protective plate, extending from the waist to the thighs.

tilting helm a large helmet.

tippet a long hanging end of cloth or cape.

tunic a long or short, sleeved or sleeveless garment, sometimes having slits at the front or sides; eventually replaced by the gipon.

vair black and white squirrel skins arranged in dec­orative patterns.

vambraces armor pieces protecting the lower arms.

visor a slitted face shield that pivoted on a knight's helmet.

volupere a nightcap of the 14th century.

wimple a veil worn over the neck and chin in the 13th century.

CLOTHING of THE 16TH

century

apron an apron made of wool or linen, worn with a bib by working-class or rural women and without a bib by higher classes.

band a linen collar.

bases a knee-length skirt worn by men over their armor.

beaver a hat. Also, the fur used to make this hat.

biggin a close-fitting cap worn by infants and children.

billiment a decorative and frequently jeweled bor­der on a French hood.

blackwork black embroidery on white linen. bodyes a bodice.

bonnet a soft hat worn by both men and women.

boothose stockings with decorative tops turned down over boots.

breastplate an armor piece protecting the chest.

breeches pants extending from the waist to the knees and worn with stockings.

carcenet a heavy, bejeweled necklace made of gold and worn like a collar.

caul a decorative hairnet made of gold thread or silk.

chemise a woman's smock or undergarment.

chin-clout a type of light scarf worn over the chin and mouth of rural women.

chopines clogs; shoes with raised platforms made of wood or cork.

cod-piece a projecting pouch or appendage allow­ing room for the groin area in men's tight-fitting breeches or hose.

coif a linen skullcap, tied under the chin by straps.

copotain a very high domed hat with a brim turned up on one side, made from block felt. Also known as a sugarloaf hat.

damask rich silk having floral or geometric decoration.

doublet a short, tuniclike garment worn over the shirt.

English hood a woman's hood that drapes over the sides of the face and forms an arch or gable over the forehead. Also known as a gable or pediment head­dress.

ermine the most highly prized fur of the time, worn only by the nobility and royalty.

falling band a turned-down collar.

farthingale a hooped understructure employed to widen a woman's skirt from the waist down. Also, the skirt worn over this understructure.

French cloak a long cloak, usually worn draped over one shoulder.

French hood a small hood having a horseshoe- shaped crown, worn far back on the head.

galligaskins baggy breeches.

garters decorative bands used to hold up stockings.

girdle a decorative belt, band, or chain.

gorget a steel collar, an armor piece.

guards bands of material employed to cover seams, usually of contrasting color.